“The Tooth And Nothing But The Tooth”
By Chris “Dr Smile Maker” Branfield
Do We Need A Vaccine?
It’s not been a bad summer. Getting a bit cold now as I write mind. We took our caravan to Cornwall. A bit of an adventure with some of the narrow roads. Here to tell the tale though, phew.
When I was at dental school (some 20-odd years ago now) and probably way before that there has been a search for a vaccine to prevent tooth decay. We know that bacteria are involved and most of the type bacteria that are involved. We know that if you feed them sugar they produce acid that causes tooth decay. We were taught that once the bacteria got through the enamel outer shell of the tooth they digested the collagen protein of the dentine underneath.
Back In The Big Smoke
Well, I was at a full day symposium at the Queen Elizabeth II conference a few Saturdays ago (what an anorak I am). The theme of this was minimal interventive dentistry. It was really good. The current evidence suggests that the collagen breakdown in the dentine is not by bacteria but by our own enzymes in a reaction to the bacteria. Almost like an auto-immune disorder. How things change.
Natural Bacteria
Only 10% of the cells in our body are ours. The rest are bacteria and we only know 10% of those. How mad is that. These bacteria have evolved with us and been with us for millions of years. They are what we call commensal bacteria. Now, if we wipe out some bacteria with a vaccine then that upsets the status quo and creates a pace for something else. Now this something else may be horrible. It’s a bit like ousting one government for a horrible dictator to take over and make people’s life a misery.
It’s A Lifestyle Thing
Now, modern day living involves a lot of processed high sugar foods. We know this causes decay. We also know that an acid environment increases tooth decay. We know that Xylitol (a natural sugar substitute) prevents decay. You can get 100% xylitol mints, sweets and gum as well as granules. Fluoride (in toothpaste and professionally applied) and something called stabilised amorphous calcium phosphate help prevent and even reverse decay. Even rinsing with bicarbonate of soda can help, believe it or not.
So, these poor bacteria get the blame but it’s our modern day lifestyle and diet that is the problem. With some lifestyle advice, product advice and professional fluoride application to teeth we can control decay and prevent fillings even if decay has started. No kidding. This is exciting stuff and a real paradigms shift away from the just drill and fill dentist thing. I know I’m anorak again.
Out Of The Blue
I was on my hols in the caravan when I got a message that I had been nominated and short-listed for (get this) “Unsung Hero” in the Hull Daily Mail Awards in the Business In The Community section. Mad!!! Anyway, the whole team at Castle Park Dental Care all buzzed up and really proud so we’re all going to the awards. I’m actually in London doing part of a Mastership in Dental Lasers course until that day so will have to get there a bit later. Fingers crossed eh.
I’m listening to Hull City playing Belgium on the radio tonight. Come on Hull Let’s have another good season
Until next time. Take care and be good.
Chris
Chris Branfield is Principal Dentist at Castle Park Dental Care, Castle Villa, 28 Castle Road, Cottingham, telephone 01482 772550. He has been in dental practice for 21 years and has a special interest in life changing, pain free dentistry with dental implants, rapid teeth straightening and cosmetic dentistry. And, not only that Chris is founder member and trustee of Dental Mavericks charity- ending the daily dental pain of Moroccan kids. For more patient success stories and Chris’s charity work go here now www.castleparkdental.co.uk
